FijiFirst candidate Reginald Jokhan says the advice he gave to a client on rent is not illegal.

He was responding to a statement by National Federation Party candidate and general secretary Kamal Iyer.

Mr Iyer claimed Mr Jokhan urged dishonesty and exploitation of ordinary people by advising one of his clients seeking residential tenancy on how to beat the rent freeze so as to avoid any issues with Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS).

Mr Jokhan said: “Why is NFP not picking on the fact that I advised the person to ensure all FRCS requirement is fulfilled? This is a desperate attempt for Biman Prasad to use Kamal Iyer and release this statement after I revealed to everyone Biman Prasad’s dishonesty.” (Fiji Sun October 21, 2018)

Mr Jokhan said this was a new rental and not one already covered by the rent freeze. He was giving his client professional advice.

Mr Iyer claimed a copy of an email sent to the party clearly showed Mr Jokhan telling the client “with the rental freeze in place it would be advisable seek as high rent as possible so that in future there won’t be any issues with FRCA or other bodies”.

“If this is not irrefutable evidence of dishonest practice, what is?” Mr Iyer asked.

“Here is a candidate of the ruling FijiFirst Party, who undoubtedly would have applied for FijiFirst candidacy when he sent this email at 11.52am on 17th August 2018, accusing the NFP Leader of dishonesty and breaching a verbal agreement by allegedly short-changing him on the payment of commission, 15 years after being paid the agreed sum.

“While his claim, coming 15 years later, is frivolous and defamatory, his email to a client in August this year is encouraging fraudulent practice and forcing would-be tenants to pay exorbitant rent.

“Mr Jokhan is encouraging unscrupulous practice. This is at the height of dishonesty by advising someone on how to beat the rent freeze. He has no political morality, character and credibility”.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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